Brooklyn Republicans wined and dined black clergymen last week in an effort to boost GOP voter registration in the country’s biggest Democratic stronghold before the Republican convention this summer in New York City.

The 10 participants huddled in a back room at Bay Ridge’s Ponte Vecchio restaurant, munching on $25 entrees.

In such a strong Democratic county, Brooklyn Republicans are seen as political oxymorons. Democrats typically crush Republicans under landslides throughout the borough – especially in black neighborhoods.

But GOP leaders think their faith-based message can play well in black churches. Tony Herbert, a Democrat-turned-Republican, said that the meeting was vital because “the Democratic Party has taken for granted the African-American and Latino vote. A lot of the ministers are saying enough is enough.”

Other black leaders – some of whom have even won elections – disagreed. “The Republican power structure is mostly white males,” said Councilman Charles Barron (D-Brooklyn). “Everything the Gospel is about – feeding the hungry, clothing the naked and housing the homeless – the Republican Party is against.”